Tall-iron joint



W. L. HYDE T-IRON JOINT April 26; 1932.

Filed Jan. 14, 1931 'T-ET. El-

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Patented Apr. 26, 1932 l UNITED. STATES PATE NT g orrice WALTER L. HYDE, OF MAILnWoon, MISsoURI. ASSIGNOR To MISSOURI ROLLINGMILL CORPORATION, or ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, A CORPORATION or MISSOURI T-IRON l JOINT Application led January 14, 1931. Serial No. 508,785.

The invention aims to provide an exceptionally simple and inexpensive joint for rigidly connecting angularly related T-irons, the construction being such that the joint-forming device may be advantageously manufactured from two metal stampings and a connecting bolt. The joint is intended primarily for use in connecting inclined extensions with the upper ends of fence posts, but is not restricted to this particular field of use.

Fig. 1 of the accompanying` drawings discloses aside elevation of the joint.

Fig. 2 is an edge view.

Fig. 3 is a sectional perspective view substantially on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the side members.

Fig. 5 is an elevation of a side member showing a slightly different construction.

In the drawings above briefly described, the numerals 6 and 7 denote two T-irons disposed at an angle to each other and having the corners 8 of their webs 9 disposed in contact, while the heads 10 of said T-irons are separated, due to the angular relation of said irons. A novel joint-making device is provided for rigidly connecting the adjacent ends of the T-irons 6 and 7.

The device 11 embodies two elongated longitudinally angular metal channels 12 of substantially V-shape in transverse section and adapted for engagement at opposite sides of their vertices 12a. with opposite edges of the heads 10 of the T-irons 6 and 7. Integral with the inner sides of the channels 12, are two longitudinal flanges which may be of the shape shown at 13 in most of the figures, or of other desired form, Vfor instance that illustrated at 13a in Fig. 5. The flanges 13 or 13a are positioned at opposite sides of the webs 9, and said flanges are formed with alined openings 14 preferably disposed about centrally between their ends. A clamping bolt 15 passes through the openings 14 and extends between the ends of the T-irons 6 and 7 the numbers 16 and 17 being applied to the head and nut of said bolt, for reference hereinafter.

ln the preferred construction` the proportion of parts is such that when the channels 12 engage the edges ofl the heads 10, the

flanges 13 or 13a will belaterally spaced from the webs 9. With T-iron' stock, while the A`width measured' across thevhead of the T, is ysubstantiallyuniform for stock of any size,

there is oftenvariancein-the thickness ofthe webs 9, as indicated in Fig. 2. Hence, if

these Webs were-clamped, the' clamping" would not be uniform throughout the length I of the j oint,kbut by providing a structuregin whichfthe channels 12 engage only the opposite edges ofthe head 10, more effective and uniform clamping lis produced. .When the openings 14 are ypositioned to locate the bolt 15 substantially as herein shown, tightening of this bolt will hold the two sections of the clamp tightly engaged with the edges of the heads 10. Attention is invitedk tothe fact that the'center of the bolt 15 is substantially in a planeA which intersects the centers of the channels 12at the extremities of the latter. Hence, itis insured that the bolt head .16 and the nut 17 shall contract with the dicular to the bolt y15 =or slightlyoblique thereto, thelatter construction being shown. If, the flanges be at right angles to the bolt, the bolt head 16 and nut 17 will contact with said anges at points in addition to points B, but as long as contact is maintained at said points B, the two clamping members will not rock about the points C in directions movingV the vertices 12a away from each other.

The joint is exceptionally simple and inexpensive, will tightly grip the two T-irons, regardless of the thickness of the webs 9, and will securely hold said T-irons in desired angular relation with each other. The bolt 15 abuts the ends of the T-irons 6 and 7 as j `seen in dotted lines in Fig.V 1. Hence, when one of the T-irons stands vertically with the joint device l1 at its upper end, it is insured that said device shall not slide downwardly out of position, even though it should become 5 somewhat loosened. This is also of advantage when initially slipping the device l1 upon the upper end of the T-iron 6, for it limits the downward movement of said device so that no difficulty will be encountered in properly relating the other T-iron 7 with said iron' and device 11. Y

Preferably both sectionsof the clamp are stamped from suitable gauge metal and they may be exact duplicates, so that one set of Y dies may be employed and neither the manufacturer nor the user will have to contend with rights and lefts.

Obviously, any'suitable metal may be used for the two clampingmembers. Furthermore, even though I have referred to the Ymembers 6 and 7 as T-irons, it is to be understood that this language should not be construed as covering T-bars formed only from iron, for obviouslyV steel or other metal could be used.

vOn account of the existing advantages for the details disclosed, they are preferably followed. However, within the scope of the Y invention as claimed, minor variations may be made.

I claim a An assemblage of the class described comprising a vertical T-iron, an inclined T-iron having its lower end disposed at the upper end of said vertical T-iron, the webs of said T-irons'being disposed in a Vcommon plane, p two metal channels having vertical halves receiving the head of the vertical T-iron and inclined halves receiving the head of the in- 40 clined T-iron, vertical flanges integral with the inner sides of said channels and lying at opposite sides of said webs, and a clamping bolt passing through said flanges, said bolt /J/z Yextending between the adjacent ends of said T-irons, whereby said bolt may abut the upper extremity of the vertical T-iron and prevent downward sliding of the channels upon said vertical T-iron. l

In testimony whereof I aix my signature. 1 WALTER L. HYDE. 

